Seniors seek action on future plans

Grey Power hopes promises will turn into action as the Government’s new nationwide plan for older New Zealanders launches in Blenheim this week.

Minister for Seniors Casey Costello will present the next Better Later Life Action Plan at the Church of the Nativity on Friday, 28 November, from 2pm to 3pm.

Grey Power New Zealand national president Gayle Chambers, who is based in Marlborough, says members want more than words.

“This Better Later Life plan is the second action plan targeted at seniors, and they’re saying all the right things, and looking in all the right areas according to what our members tell us. I’m just hoping that the action plan isn’t a document that will be launched and then sit on a table,” Gayle says.

She believes Casey understands the challenges. “On a personal level, I get on really well with the minister and she has a lot of empathy for seniors, as she often says she’s a senior herself. I believe that she’s working really hard to get these things implemented, but it’s working through the system to see that happen.

Grey Power members say the issues go beyond policy documents.

“We’ve heard lots of promises, we’ve had lots of strategies, we’ve had lots of action plans, but nothing seems to change,” Gayle says. “A lot of it is access to surgery, health interventions, home care, support, access to residential care and low-cost accommodation for people with fixed incomes, and just the general cost of living as our income isn’t matching that rate.

“Health, as we all know, is in a bit of a mess, and having met with Minister Simeon Brown, we know that the Government are trying really hard to get the health system up and running properly again.

“If we could have one thing out of these plans, it would not be compartmentalising seniors and saying it’s all too hard – and just from looking at the action plan, I hope that they do fulfil the recommendations they’re making.”

To RSVP for Friday’s event, contact Grey Power Marlborough at [email protected].